Day after day, all I do is eat and sleep. What have you even seen? Not much at all! Yet you stand here, feigning the air of a seasoned romantic, when all this time, there hasn’t even been a single female mosquito close enough to be considered intimate!

Jiang Wang’s heart raged with silent curses, yet on his face, he maintained an air of cultured grace. “Brother Xiang, perhaps we could discuss the matter of the Royal Sword and the Clear Sky? Your flying sword arts are truly marvelous, inspiring awe and admiration!”

The ‘Xiao’ character token in his hand felt scorching hot. He longed to simply thrust it at Xiang Qian and silence him, but exhibiting too much eagerness now would only appear like a display of flustered indignation turned to anger.

Xiang Qian paused for a moment, then immediately adopted the role of the sage mentor. “Ah, this flying sword art, it holds indeed a vast knowledge. Consider, in the long river of history, with so many sword methods vying for supremacy, why was it only the flying sword that could shine so brightly for an entire era? This, we must begin by speaking of a woman…”

As Xiang Qian’s garrulous narration flowed ceaselessly, Jiang Wang sensed that the communication array within the ‘Xiao’ character token had fallen silent. It seemed Ye Qingyu on the other side had actively disconnected. Given her disposition, she wouldn’t likely eavesdrop on secrets related to cultivation. However, one couldn’t rule out the possibility that she had grown irate from Xiang Qian’s nonsensical rambling.

Jiang Wang let out a long, quiet breath.

Xiang Qian, meanwhile, was still holding forth, eloquently extolling the myriad wonders of the flying sword. “According to my master, during the era of the flying sword, various sword techniques reached divine levels of skill. Among these, one was the most fascinating. Guess what it was? Haha, that technique…”

“Alright, alright.” Jiang Wang interrupted him with practiced politeness. “Your words are excellent, and I am deeply inspired. Let us continue this discussion another time.”

“Don’t say ‘another time’!” Xiang Qian, caught up in the excitement, was reluctant to stop. If there was anything that could truly ignite his passion, it was the flying sword itself. He genuinely yearned for a fellow Daoist to share this interest, especially one as remarkably talented as Jiang Wang. Even if he himself had decided to abandon further progress, in his heart, he hoped that the glory of the flying sword technique would continue through someone else. After all, it was something he had strived for for many years.

“First, let me tell you about the ten basic uses of the flying sword…”

“Hiss…” Jiang Wang suddenly drew in a sharp breath, pressing a hand to his forehead. “I seem to be feeling a bit unwell.”

“How so?” Xiang Qian inquired.

“It must be from flying too high earlier; I’ve caught a chill,” Jiang Wang said, getting up to open the door for him. “It’s nothing serious, no need to worry about me. I just need to rest for a bit. You should head back first, and we can have a proper discussion another time.”

“You, a Divine Inner Mansion cultivator, skilled in the art of fire, you’ve caught a chill?!” Xiang Qian remained rooted to his chair. “I’ve realized, you, Jiang of the Jiang clan, you look down on the flying sword, don’t you? You think the era of the flying sword has declined, and there’s nothing worthwhile to learn, right?”

In his heart, Jiang Wang did indeed think exactly that. The so-called “Life and death cultivated together in one sword” technique, while powerful, often led to the sword’s destruction and the user’s demise in a single move. Who could bear such a risk? The flying sword era had certainly been glorious once, but was it not no longer so? Furthermore, cultivators of the flying sword were also notorious for the high risk of falling.

Stepping back further, if one were truly interested in flying sword techniques, the Dao Gate’s integration of them into their Dao Sword techniques offered greater safety, and their power wasn’t necessarily inferior. Of course, he could not say this on the surface.

“The moment I saw you, I knew how sharp flying sword techniques are…” Jiang Wang praised fervently.

Xiang Qian continued his cold laughter. “Climbing the high branch of the little flower Ye is quite impressive, is it? He is still a defeated general under my master! The power of the flying sword technique, Jiang Wang, is something you still find difficult to imagine.”

“Wait.” Jiang Wang was slightly taken aback. “Who is the little flower Ye?”

Xiang Qian was also stunned. “Your father-in-law, of course! One of the few strong individuals near the God Realm that my master deems worthy of drawing his sword against. How is it that you don’t know his name?” In his view, given the supposed fiery romance between Jiang Wang and Ye Qingyu, Jiang Wang should surely know the name of Ye Qingyu’s father.

Jiang Wang automatically skipped over the word “father-in-law.” The more he debated this point, the more energized Xiang Qian would become. He simply asked, “Isn’t the Lingxiao Pavilion Master named Ye Lingxiao?”

“Is he?” Xiang Qian scratched his head. “My master said he was called the little flower Ye…”

What Xiang Qian’s master said should not be incorrect…

Perhaps “little flower Ye” was his true name? As for why he presented himself to the world under the name Ye Lingxiao, the reason was likely very simple—no strong individual would go by the name “little flower”!

Jiang Wang and Xiang Qian both fell silent, exchanging glances. They felt a growing suspicion that continuing this discussion within the Lingxiao Pavilion was akin to seeking death.

“Well then, I shall take my leave.” This interruption had suddenly extinguished Xiang Qian’s interest in continuing to pick a fight.

Jiang Wang sat for a while longer, a desire to explain a few things to Ye Qingyu churning in his mind. However, he couldn’t find the words, and he feared that further explanation would only complicate matters. In the end, he could only give up.

Jiang An’an’s Channel Opening Ceremony was personally hosted by Ye Qingyu. It was only at this time that Jiang Wang learned that original, established sects held a ceremony for the Channel Opening of their direct disciples.

Today, Ye Qingyu wore a set of flowing cloud Daoist robes, her long hair pinned up with a single wooden hairpin, simple and elegant, truly embodying the demeanor of a Daoist true woman who had achieved enlightenment. Her face showed no sign that Xiang Qian’s nonsense had had any effect. Her attitude towards Jiang Wang remained the same as before, her conversation filled with cheerful words and smiles, in the manner of old friends. This greatly eased Jiang Wang’s heart.

At the Channel Opening Ceremony for little An’an, several senior brothers and sisters were also present to observe, those considered An’an’s closest fellow disciples. It was through this that Jiang Wang learned about the so-called Big and Little Wang senior sisters, the Annoying Ghost senior brother, and the “Fang” senior brother. These individuals had all appeared in Jiang An’an’s letters previously and had usually taken good care of her. Therefore, Jiang Wang was polite to them as well, taking the initiative to greet them.

While he was being polite, the unsuspecting Mo Liang and the “Fang” senior brother, whose original name was Lu Cheng, were inwardly apprehensive, fearing that Jiang An’an had revealed their less-than-ideal behavior to him. Jiang Wang’s fame in Qi Country was considerable, but it hadn’t spread to the Western Domain that quickly. Primarily, Yun Country’s extensive trade network and naturally well-informed populace, coupled with their specific attention to news about Jiang Wang, and the opportune return of a merchant team from a nearby island, led them to be timely informed of Jiang Wang’s battle record in Qi Country. If even the ancient, past first-tier Through Heaven Realm expert was a defeated general under him, they certainly wouldn’t dare to challenge the iron fist of Jiang An’an’s older brother.

Subsequently, Jiang Wang producing the Earth Origin Great Elixir further solidified his impressive status. Lingxiao Pavilion disciples were not lacking in money or Dao Origin Stones, but treasures like the Earth Origin Great Elixir were priceless and difficult to obtain, even with wealth. Only those with strong power and influence could hope to acquire them.

Jiang An’an sat obediently on the cloud-mist cushion, her eyes slightly closed, seriously and quietly adjusting her breathing. During their time in Maple Forest City, Jiang Wang had already laid a foundation for her, which had been further consolidated and strengthened here in Lingxiao Pavilion. Her foundation and starting point, compared to the impoverished, self-reliant Jiang Wang who had to test his way into the outer court of the Dao Institute and scramble for resources, were immeasurably stronger.

But the meaning of effort lies precisely in this—why did Jiang Wang strive so hard? It was nothing more than not wanting his sister to experience the hardships he had endured. Now, he had achieved it.

The jade bottle containing the Earth Origin Great Elixir was placed directly in front of Jiang An’an. Ye Qingyu, following the ritual, completed the ceremony and then proclaimed, “Disciple Jiang An’an, under the guidance of Lingxiao, has now transcended the ordinary, achieving her rightful moment!”

Jiang An’an opened her wide, black eyes, her expression very serious. Her small hand pulled out the stopper, and holding the jade bottle with both hands, she poured the contents into her mouth. After a long moment, she smacked her small lips, still not satisfied. Her eyes fixed on Jiang Wang, the meaning very clear—Brother, is there more?

Jiang Wang could only pretend not to see. Brother doesn’t not love you, Brother truly can’t afford any more.

Ye Qingyu might not have noticed Jiang An’an’s subtle expression. After Jiang An’an consumed the Channel Opening Elixir, she used the sect’s secret technique to sense Jiang An’an’s Through Heaven Palace. After finishing the sensing, she solemnly announced, “Disciple Jiang An’an’s Through Heaven Palace is exceptionally excellent; it shall be laid with the Nine Heavens Map as its foundation!” Having spoken, she pointed her jade finger at An’an’s forehead, transmitting the foundational array map to her.

Jiang Wang, like a country bumpkin seeing the city for the first time, watched all of this with both shock and admiration. So, a truly prestigious sect grants corresponding foundational array maps based on a disciple’s Channel Opening situation! Unlike the Zhuang Country’s city Dao Institute back then, where regardless of the situation, everyone received the Returning Origin Array…

ps: Thank you to the book promoter Chi Ji for recommending this book. He also mentioned that several sincere readers have repeatedly contributed positive reviews. I am very grateful for all of you who have put effort into this book. To be honest, my state of mind has been a bit fragile recently. The promised recommendations have been delayed. If it weren’t for your spontaneous help in promoting me, this book wouldn’t even have 800 average orders by now. Without recommendations, who would see it? So, I thank all of you. And once again, thank you, Chi Ji.